Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

• Japan-China relations
• Japan-ROK relations
• ROK's decision to impose a comprehensive ban on the import of marine products from eight prefectures in Japan
• The result of the triennial survey by the Bank for International Settlements on foreign-exchange trading volume
• Japan-Russia summit meeting
• Japan-U.S. summit meeting

REPORTER: I have a question relating to Prime Minister Abe having exchanged words face-to-face for the first time with President Xi Jinping of China and President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea (ROK), during his visit to Russia. First of all, with regard to the meeting with President Xi Jinping, although it was a brief meeting in which a few words were exchanged, have you received any report about it?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have received a report that on September 5, prior to the plenary meeting of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Abe shook hands with President Xi Jinping in the waiting room reserved for G20 leaders and exchanged courtesies. After initial greetings had been concluded the Prime Minister provided an explanation about his thoughts that Japan and China should return to the origin of our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and work to develop our relations. I hear that President Xi Jinping made a statement concerning the principle stance of China. Although the meeting was only a brief one, given that it was the first opportunity for both leaders to exchange greetings face-to-face since they were both inaugurated leaders of their respective countries, I believe that it was of great significance. With regard to the ROK, I have received a report that during the reception prior to the leaders' dinner at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Abe stood with President Park Geun-hye and exchanged greetings. As I have often said, the ROK is an important country for Japan as we cooperate for the peace and stability of Northeast Asia, including issues relating to North Korea. Given that we are neighboring countries Japan and the ROK also face difficult issues, but the Government believes that it is important to seek to develop stable bilateral relations from a broad perspective, and cooperate with one another for the purpose of achieving stability in the region and in the international community. I believe that it is important for Japan to engage with both countries and increase communication on various levels.

REPORTER: On a related note, you have just mentioned that President Xi Jinping made a statement concerning the principle stance of China. According to Xinhua News, President Xi stated to the Japanese side that Japan should recognize the existence of territorial issues surrounding the Senkaku Islands. Are we to understand that in your previous response your comment was meant to refer to territorial issues?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Given that this matter relates to diplomatic issues, I would like to refrain from commenting about the specific details of the interaction between Prime Minister Abe and President Xi Jinping.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: With regard to Japan-China and Japan-ROK relations, during his meetings with the two leaders did the Prime Minister make any calls for, or refer to the holding of a formal summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the current point nothing is decided with regard to the schedule for summit meetings.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: On a different issue, the ROK has decided to impose a comprehensive ban on the import of marine products from eight prefectures in Japan. This decision was announced directly after your statement in this press conference that the safety of water and food products in Japan has been assured. This decision by the ROK perhaps demonstrates that international concern remains strong about whether Japan has got the situation in Fukushima completely under control. Could I ask for the reaction of the Government concerning this matter, including whether you consider it will have an impact on the bid for the 2020 Olympics, a decision on which is coming up soon? Also, how does the Government intend to dispel such concerns in the future?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Firstly, with regard to the ROK, I am aware of the announcement that has been made. I would like to point out that there are international standards concerning food products, including marine produce, and in Japan we are engaged in strict safety management measures based on those standards. In the event that tests for radioactive materials show that there are levels that exceed the standard value, we have a robust system in place whereby the Government implements restrictions on shipment of the produce in question, thus preventing it from being distributed in the market. Furthermore, with regard to the impact of the outflow of contaminated water into the ocean, the impact is limited to an area of 0.3 km², within the harbor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Even within this area the figures show that radiation levels are well below the standard value and therefore there is absolutely no impact from the contaminated water. Following the outflow of contaminated water the Government has paid particular care to share information with the Government of the ROK about the situation, and we will continue to call upon the ROK to make a response that is grounded in scientific evidence. With regard to the Olympics, the Government will bring together the necessary technology and knowledge and stand at the fore in dealing with situation, with a view to resolving the contaminated water issue in the near term. Japan will continue to thoroughly explain these measures, and as I have already stated the area that is affected by contaminated water covers 0.3 km², and even in that area tests have shown that levels are well below standard values. This is the point that we will continue to explain moving forward. In particular, since the accident occurred Japan has adopted the most stringent food and water safety standards in the world and is also engaged in strict and thorough inspections and distribution management. We will continue to make robust efforts to highlight that the safety of Japan's food and water has been secured. For example, the total annual exposure to radiation from all food and water in the whole of Fukushima Prefecture is less than one-hundredth of one millisievert.

REPORTER: On a completely different topic, the results of a survey on the daily foreign-exchange volume has been announced by the Bank for International Settlements, in which it is noted that Singapore has overtaken Japan to take third place as a hub for foreign-exchange trading, after the United Kingdom and the United States. This could be viewed as a sign that the prestige of the Japanese financial markets is slipping and is something that not even "Abenomics" can halt. Could you give us your reaction to this survey result and what thoughts or intentions the Government has about how to engage in efforts to revitalize the Japanese financial markets?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: What you are referring to is the results of the triennial survey implemented by the Bank for International Settlements concerning foreign-exchange trading volume. In the recent survey it was reported that while the volume of transactions grew in the Tokyo market, the growth in the volume of trading in Singapore surpassed that of Tokyo. Although the results of this survey show that Singapore has overtaken Tokyo, it is a fact that it also shows that as a proportion of total global trading in all markets, the proportion of yen-based trades is without a doubt increasing. It is my recognition that this increase in yen-based trades is of great importance for the revitalization of the Japanese economy, including the revitalization of the financial markets.

REPORTER: Returning to the topic of Japan-China relations, I believe that issues surrounding the Senkaku Islands present a considerable hurdle towards the realization of a summit meeting. The Government is often saying that its door is always open to dialogue, but what do you think will be necessary from now on if a summit meeting is actually to be realized?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The recent meeting was the first time for the leaders of both countries to meet in a natural way and exchange greetings. In addition, until now a variety of meetings have been held between China and Japan, including director general-level talks between foreign ministries and director general-level talks between defense ministries. I believe that it is important for such opportunities for interaction and dialogue to be built on and increased. Given the fact that we share a mutually beneficial relationship with China, the stance of the Government is that our door is always open to dialogue.

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-Russia summit meeting. In the recent meeting it was decided that a Two-plus-Two meeting would be held on the occasion of Foreign Minister Lavrov's visit to Japan in November. Can you tell us the reaction of the Government to the outcome of the summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: At the recent meeting it was confirmed by both sides that we will proceed with the bilateral summit meetings and the upcoming vice-ministerial consultations and that both sides would engage in negotiations and develop discussion in a friendly and calm atmosphere. Agreement was reached in the Japan-Russia summit meeting in April on the launch of a Japan-Russia Two-plus-Two meeting. The schedule of the four ministers who will take part in this Two-plus-Two meeting has been under coordination from previously and it was duly announced following the recent summit meeting. In that sense it can be seen that preparations are proceeding smoothly.

REPORTER: According to press reports in Russia and also from a press spokesperson in Russia, in the meeting it was agreed that a resolution to the Northern Territories issue would be made on the principles of a "draw." It is difficult to understand the nuance of what is meant by "draw," but could you tell us the facts behind these reports? Also, this is the third Japan-Russia summit meeting this year and you have stated that things are proceeding smoothly, so what is your outlook for progress in negotiations?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Are you saying that a "draw" was decided?

REPORTER: There are reports that in the summit meeting it was decided to resolve the Northern Territories issue on the principle of a "draw."

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have not heard anything about that. Whatever the case, I believe that as is true all over the world, trust-based Japan-Russia relations will be built up and developed through meetings such as the one that has recently been held, which will then lead to the resolution of issues.

REPORTER: Returning to the topic of Japan-China relations, in the recent meeting did the Prime Minister directly convey to the Chinese side the basic stance of the Government that the door is always open to dialogue?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As I have already mentioned, after initial greetings had been concluded the Prime Minister provided an explanation about his thoughts that Japan and China should return to the origin of our mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and work to develop our relations.

REPORTER: So you mean that the sense of the door being open to dialogue was conveyed to the Chinese side?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: Yes, that is what I believe.

REPORTER: To date you have indicated your understanding that the gaps between Japan and China are closing. Given the recent meeting, what are your thoughts concerning the future for these gaps and how bilateral relations will develop?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I have said before that I believe that the gaps between Japan and China are gradually narrowing and the fact that the two leaders recently exchanged greetings is another example of that gradual process.

REPORTER: So do you think that an environment is gradually being developed in which it will be possible to hold a formal summit meeting?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As this is a matter relating to diplomatic issues I would like to refrain from making any further detailed comment.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: I have a question concerning the Japan-U.S. summit meeting at the G20 Summit. In a press conference following the summit meeting Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes stated that he believed that Japan had expressed broad support for what the United States is trying to do in order to protect international rules concerning chemical weapons. This reference to "what we are trying to do," could be taken to mean that Japan has expressed broad support for military action or intervention. Is such an understanding correct?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting held in St. Petersburg, Russia, the two leaders exchanged opinions on a broad range of issues, including Japan-U.S. relations, the situation in Syria and the regional situation in the Asia-Pacific. With regard to the situation in Syria, Prime Minister Abe conveyed the basic stance of Japan, and expressed his respect to the United States for taking responsibility to put an end to inhumane actions in Syria. He also pointed out that at the G20 Summit it would be important to demonstrate to the greatest degree possible that the international community is acting in concert on this issue. In addition, both Japan and the United States confirmed that they would continue to engage in close cooperation in order to improve and normalize the situation in Syria. With regard to the statement you just mentioned that Prime Minister Abe did express broad support, the view of the Government is to continue to monitor developments in the United States, where procedures are underway to seek the approval of the U.S. Congress.

(Abridged)